Eagle Eye!

So over the weekend I saw Eagle Eye. Talk about an influx of media images. I had to close my eyes at one point because I was getting a headache from all the commotion happening on screen. Not that I didn’t enjoy the movie—it was quite thrilling/engaging and kept my attention the whole time—but, it got me to think, is this really necessary? Was the point of the overwhelming number of images there because it added substance to the story or because we, as viewers, want to see them? Or is it what the bigger conglomerations believe we want to see, so they continuously stream action shot after car chase after big explosion after car chase after action shot…you get the idea. I guess this relates to our class last week because the question of “what could films really be?” was brought to attention. This question relates to the idea that we believe that our appetites/desires are being fed because we are given what we want within a very narrow range of what the larger corporations have to offer. The media is feeding us what “we think” should be entertaining and these desires are nurtured throughout our culture.

On a similar note, it was rather interesting that the idea that new mediums (such as Internet) aren’t really transforming or revolutionizing anything. For instance, while YouTube is considered a public space and forum for individuals to express their ideas, the top hits are still linked with the music industry. While I somewhat agree with this, I think that the fact that individuals at least have the option to contribute their ideas is a step in the transformation of media policy. Yes, promotion is limited; however, the question should be how can promotion be changed? Obviously, there is not going to be a huge leap right now, so shouldn’t the small steps count for something? There are exceptions to everything, so let’s not overlook them completely.

For instance, growing up as an Asian American, I have been watching movies of both American and Chinese culture for as long as I can remember. My interest in foreign language films derives from the mixture of cultures that I have grown up with. Therefore, I have been nurtured in a different kind of culture than others (one that integrates my parent’s lifestyle and the life I lead growing up in America). But, I know that I am not the only one like this. In addition, I have often shared with my friends my passion for foreign language films and many of them have branched out their interests. Thus, while we talk in a large generality of who is affected by media policy, we should not fail to see why it is not the solitary opinion of people.